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LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 


BABYLON: 


A    POEM. 


BY    C.    W.    EVEREST. 


^      : 


*  Ah !  there  is  desolation  cold : 


The  desert  serpent  dwells'  alone  ; 

s  o'ergrows  each  mouldering  st 


Where  grass  o'ergr 


And  stones  themselves,  to  ruin  grown, 
Are  grey,  and  death-like  old  ! ' 


HARTFORD: 
CANFIELD     AND      ROBINS 

M  DCCC  XXXVJII. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838,  by  C.  W.  EVEREST, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Connecticut. 


Printed  by 

CASE,  TIFFANY  &  BURNIIAM,  PEARL  STREET, 
Hartford. 


TO 


MY     MOTHER, 


THIS  POEM 


IS    AFFECTIONATELY     INSCRIBED, 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

THE  following  Poem  was  in  part  delivered  at  a  late  '  Commence 
ment'  occasion  of  WASHINGTON  COLLEGE.  To  some  who  were 
then  its  auditors,  its  present  appearance  will  excite  no  surprise, 
their  desire  having  been  freely  expressed  for  its  publication.  But 
with  others,  we  cannot  anticipate  so  nattering  a  reception.  The 
severe  injunction  still  stands  upon  the  page  of  the  bard  of  Venusium, 


-nonumquc  premutur  in  annum, 


Membranis  intus  positis : 

Shade  of  Horace  !  forgive  us.  Scarcely  so  many  weeks  have  gone 
by  since  our  rude  lyre  sounded  its  last  strain.  But  no  rich  Mascenas 
stands  at  our  side.  A  desire  to  gratify  some,  actuates — and  (a  secret 
known  only  to  rhymers!)  a  desire  to  be  gratified  by  others,  still 
more  strongly  impels  us ! 

In  conclusion — we  send  forth  our  verse,  with  all  its  errors 
clustering  about  it,  to  '  sink  or  swim, '  as  accident  and  the  good 
Public  may  determine — soliciting  just  so  much  of  the  popular  lenity, 
as  all  similar  works  are  accustomed  to  receive.  And  those  whose 
purses  shall  suffer  in  an  undue  proportion  to  the  entertainment 
thereby  received,  and  whose  ready  sympathies  will  be  awakened  for 
'the  indiscretion'  of  the  author — we  would  refer,  for  consolation,  to 
the  sentiment  in  which  a  Reviewer  of  former  times  exulted,  when 
he  exclaimed,  in  concluding  the  praiseworthy  task  of  abusing  a 
young  writer's  production — 'Well!  we  may  rejoice,  for  'tis  the 
last  of  him !' 

Truly  the  Public's  obedient  servant, 

THE   AUTHOR. 

Hartford,  Sept.  14,  1838. 


A  B  YLON 


L 


Long  had  the  c  star  of  empire '  shed  its  ray 
O'er  Babylonia's  kingdom,  from  the  hour 
When  Nabonassar  held  his  regal  sway1— 
(A  liberated  Nation's  grateful  dower :) 
Then  slow  but  firm  her  step  to  wealth  and  power 
Succeeding  kings  in  turn  improved  her  state ; 
And  not  a  cloud  upon  her  sky  7gan  lower: 
With  name  revered,  with  conscious  pride  elate, 
JMid  Eastern  realms  she  sat — in  equal  honors  great, 


BABYLON. 


II. 


But  not  until  her  mightiest  king  arose,2 
Was  Babel's  name  a  world's  re-echoing  dread : 
Then  did  her  monarch  triumph  o'er  her  foes, 
And  march  to  conquest  with  a  giant's  tread : 
Before  his  conquering  sword  wide  Nations  bled, 
And  kings,  obedient,  bowed  in  suppliant  plight : 
His  legions  ne'er  from  hostile  foemen  fled ; 
But  favoring  Victory  marked  his  banners'  flight — 
In  peace  the  most  renowned,  the  most  renowned  in  fight. 


III. 


Of  eld  Chaldea  owned  his  sceptre's  reign, 
And  the  wild  Arab  wore  the  look  of  fear ; 
But  now  new  conquests  did  his  valor  gain  : 
The  vanquished  Syrian  came,  a  suppliant,  near — 
Samaria  bowed  beneath  his  yoke  severe — 
And  next,  a  triumph  prouder,  mightier  still, 
Which  well  the  monarch's  swelling   heart  might 

cheer : 

The  great  Assyrian,  learned  in  empire's  skill, 
Sat  like  a  humble  child,  obedient  to  his  will. 


BABYLON. 

IV. 

Still  shone  the  star  of  conquest — mighty  Tyre, 
Of  high  renown,  the  Ocean's  peerless  bride,3 
Though  fighting  bravely  through  long  years  of  ire, 
Yielded  at  length  to  battle's  gory  tide : 
And  ravaged  Egypt  wailed  in  dust  her  pride, 
When    his    tired    cohorts   ceased    their  vengeful 

slaughters : 

And,  while  the  song  for  distant  Zion  sighed, 
Lonely  and  sad,  by  Babel's  gushing  waters, 
Sat   Judah's   captive   sons,   and    Judah's   mourning 

daughters. 

V. 

But  not  to  empire's  growing  sway  alone, 
Did  Babylonia's  realm  her  greatness  owe : 
Her  City's  grandeur  all  unrivalled  shone, 
Since  lorn  Assyria  in  the  dust  lay  low ; 
The  home  unwilling  of  her  captive  foe, 
Her  strength  the  mightiest  of  the  Orient  clime — 
Her  grace  and  beauty  passing  human  show : 
Thus  hated,  feared,  beloved,  in  glory's  prime, 
She   mocked   Destruction's  dart,  and    mocked    the 
Spoiler,  Time. 


10  BABYLON. 


VI. 


And  Science  came,  a  pilgrim,  to  her  walls, 
And  learned  Magi,  from  the  distant  shore  : 
There  the  Chaldean,  in  her  nursing  halls. 
Delved  o'er  his  mystic,  astrologic  lore  :4 
And  wealth  to  genius  oped  her  glittering  store : 
In  learning's,  honor's,  grandeur's  varying  scene, 
She  brooked  no  rival,  no  companion  bore : 
But  peerless,  lone,  in  proud,  imperial  mien, 
Like  mighty  Juno,  swayed — Earth's  universal  queen. 


VII. 


Alas,  for  human  greatness!    and  alas, 
For  glory's  splendor  on  a  mortal  brow ! 
The  stateliest  realms  must  down  to  ruin  pass, 
And  mightiest  monarchs  to  a  mightier  bow : 
Alas  !  will  Death  ne'er  spare  a  gallant  foe  ? 
Vain,  vain,  to  hope  for  mercy  from  his  might : 
He  laid  great  Babylon's  noblest  monarch  low, 
And  veiled  her  glory's  beam  in  boding  Night, 
While  Eastward  Victory's  star  took  its  eternal  flight. 


BABYLON.  11 


VIII. 


The  monarch  slumbered  with  the  valiant  dead — 
His  wayward  son  assumed  th'  ancestral  reign  ;5 
Who — long  by  Flattery's  blandest  accents  fed, 
And  now,  by  sudden  exaltation,  vain- 
Ruled,  like  a  tyrant,  o'er  his  broad  domain  : 
In  vain  did  Justice  urge  her  high  behest, 
And  tearful  Mercy  seek  her  boon  to  gain  : 
Scorned  by  the  good,  he  ruled — by  Vice,  unblest — 
Like  hideous  Nightmare's  weight  upon  the  sleeper's 
breast. 


IX. 


Meanwhile  the  Median  and  the  Persian  state, 
(Chaldea's  allied  aid  in  times  gone  by,6) 
Stretched  wide  their  bounds,  with  waxing  power 

elate ; 

Their  banner  flaunted  proudly  to  the  sky — 
While  varying  Victory  hovered  gladly  nigh, 
And  sought  to  nestle  in  its  rustling  fold ; 
Till  Cyrus'  name  on  every  breeze  went  by — 
While  Rumor's  tongue  declared  how  foemen  old 
Their  routed  legions  bowed  before  the  Conqueror  bold. 


la  BABYLON 


X. 


Not  long  Chaldea's  king  his  pomp  might  wear ; 
Ere  two  short  years  their  silent  flight  had  made, 
Assassination's  'red  right  arm7  was  bare— 
His  cruel  guilt  by  cruel  doom  repaid, 
And  the  proud  despot  in  the  dust  was  laid ! 
(Thus,  maddened  tyrants,  by  their  folly  driven, 
While  ne'er  a  voice  around  them  dare  upbraid, 
Will  deem  that  all  to  peace  profound  is  given — 
When  lo !  the  avenging  bolt  peals  through  the  startled 
Heaven !) 


XL 


Then  rapturous  rose  a  Nation's  grateful  voice, 
To  hail   the  noble  Neriglissar   king  :7 
And  well,  in  sooth,  Chaldea  might  rejoice, 
And  well  might  Joy  her  tuneful  paeans  sing, 
And  garlands  in  the  monarch's  pathway  fling  ; 
For  well  her  monarch  proved  such  rightful  claim 
Constant  he  toiled  (alas !  in  vain,)  to  bring 
The  empire  back  to  glory,  and  her  name 
E'en  higher  yet  to  place  upon  the  scroll  of  Fame ! 


BABYLON.  13 

XII. 

Nor  all  in  vain  had  proved  his  tireless  zeal, 
Could  but  man's  follies  slumber  with  his  clay : 
Such  fortune  might  not  bless  Chaldea's  weal : 
Her  last  weak  tyrant,  in  an  evil  day, 
Had  dared  from  honor's  sacred  path  to  stray, 
And,  undeserved,  to  brand  an  insult  foul, 
In  wanton  rancor,  on  the  Median  sway  :8 
And  now  War's  gathering  clouds  in  gloom  did  scowl, 
And  muttering  thunders  spoke  in  sullen,  boding  growl. 

XIII. 

The  San  had  wheeled  through  Heaven  his  burning 

course 

For  three  long  Summer-tides,  and  looked  his  beam 
Upon  the  mustering  Nations'  gathering  force — 
Like  leaves  of  forests,  when  the  genial  gleam 
Of  Summer's  glory  gilds  the  glade  and  stream : 
For  aid  the  Median  sought,  nor  undenied — 
With  state  which  well  a  Conqueror's  own  might 

seem, 

Great  Cyrus  came,  in  Youth's  impetuous  pride — 
While  Persia's  warlike  sons  swarmed  countless  at  his 

side! 


14  BABYLON. 


XIV. 


Nor  friendless  sat  Chaldea's  warlike  lord : 
The  Lydian  Croesus  came,  with  bannery  host — 
The  Phrygian  realm  poured  forth  her  vengeful  horde, 
And  thousands  thronged  from  Caria's  distant  coast : 
And  Cappadocia — long  an  allied  boast — 
With  free  Cilicia,  marched  her  deathful  train : 
Thus,  their  proud  banners,  by  the  wild  winds  tossed, 
The  Orient  Nations  pressed,  in  glory  vain, 
To  pour  War's  crimson  tide  along  the  peaceful  plain. 


XV. 


The  banded  Nations  met — the  trumpet's  tone 
Gave  awful  summons  to  the  sanguine  strife : 
Then  rose  the  cry  of  battle,  and  the  moan 
Which  bleeding  nature  gives  for  gasping  life : 
Steed  pressed  on  steed,  and  furious  cohorts,  rife 
For  frenzied  carnage,  rushed  with  frantic  yell : 
The  spear's  red  work  was  done — the  warrior's  knife 
Slept  in  the  breast — nor  ceased  the  maddening  spell, 
Till  in  Death's  foremost  rank  Chaldea's  monarch  fell ! 


BABYLON.  15 


XVI. 


Then  Victory  fled  his  banners — Discord  came — 
His  broken  ranks  no  more  would  meet  the  foe : 
And  Media's  host  swept  on,  like  waves  of  flame — 
In  fierce  pursuit  still  dealt  the  vengeful  blow  : 
Still  rose  to  Heaven  the  fearful  cry  of  woe : 
And  when  the  Sun  last  viewed  the  scene  of  blight, 
A  purple  tide  gave  back  his  crimson  glow : 
Nor  ceased  the  contest,  till  the  sorrowing  Night, 
With   brooding  wing,  came   down,  and   stayed   the 
mournful  fight. 

XVII. 

Ah  !  there  was  wailing,  when  that  broken  band 
Resought  their  City's  welcoming  walls  once  more : 
Few  days  had  passed,  since,  at  their  king's  command, 
They  trod  in  pride  along  the  Euphrates'  shore, 
And,  joyous,  mused  the  coming  peril  o'er : 
Now,  lorn  they  came,  and,  with  a  brow  of  gloom, 
Their  slaughtered  king  in  solemn  sadness  bore ! 
So  War's  fell  daemon  breathes  his  direful  doom, 
So  Nations,  mourning,  stand  around  a  Nation's  tomb  ! 


10  BABYLON. 

XVIII. 

Scarce  were  the  monarch's  funeral  honors  done, 
And  scarce  had  Sorrow  dried  her  gushing  tear, 
Ere  Babylonia  hailed  the  regal  son9— 
Would  that  his  throne  had  earlier  proved  his  bier ! 
Now,  sudden  freed  from  all  restraints  of  fear, 
No  tyrant's  heart  with  his  in  guilt  might  vie : 
Nor  might  Chaldea  view  one  hope,  to  cheer, 
Nor  one  weak  virtue  in  her  despot  spy — 
But  drained,  in  sullen  wrath,  the  cup  of  anguish  dry  ! 


XIX. 


Soon,  swift- winged  Rumor  bore  the  news  afar  : 
Th'  exulting  foeman  marched  his  legions  fleet — 
And  o'er  the  realm  still  poured  the  tide  of  War, 
While  Victory  sped  his  onward  course  to  greet : 
But   once — in   vain — Chaldea's   king  would  meet 
His  fatal  foe — then  fled,  in  dread  dismay  : 
And  vain,  to  woo  him  from  his  guarded  seat, 
Did  Persia's  son  his  boasting  troops  display — 
Then  toward  far  Media's  bound  took  his  triumphant 
way ! 


BABYLON.  17 


XX. 


Now,  joyful,  freed   from  all  his  irksome  care, 
His  heart  to  guilt  the  despot  all  resigned  : 
From  his  fell  frown  of  wrath  forth  stalked  Despair, 
To  doom  of  lingering  wretchedness  consigned! 
While  the  crowned  fiend,  to  hastening  dangers  blind, 
Forgot  that  wounds  concealed  will  rankle  deep  : 
But  when  high  hearts  in  bleeding  anguish  pined, 
Safe,  where  the  nightly  guard  its  watch  did  keep, 
Stern  Vengeance  softly  stole,  and  frowned  upon  his 
sleep ! 


XXI. 


Then  came  Belshazzar  to  the  kingly  crown, 
The  last — the  vilest — of  the  royal   line,10 
Which  Babylonia  hailed  of  long  renown, 
And  deemed,  as  all  realms  deem  their  kings,  divine ! 
(Alas  !  that  he,  whose  splendor  last  must  shine, 
Should  shed  a  sickly  glare  o'er  glory's  wreath ! 
How  better  far,  if  Heaven  hath  doomed  decline, 
To  struggle  fiercely  with  the  tempest's  breath, 
And  'lume  with  hallowed  glow  the  darkening  brow  of 
Death !) 


18  BABYLON. 

XXII. 

'Tis  true,  he  was  no  tyrant— for  his  soul 
Ne'er  felt  the  burning  of  the  despot's  fire  : 
And  while  he  shunned  oppression's  dread  control, 
(For  minds  enervate  fear  a  Nation's  ire,) 
At  Pleasure's  shrine  he  knelt,  in  fond  desire ; 
Nor  cared  that  loftier  aims  became  a  king — 
Only  to  press  'mid  Folly's  votaries  higher  ! 
Unheeding  all  what  dangerous  ills  might  spring, 
While  Ruin  o'er  him  wheeled,  and  flapped  her  gloomy 
wing ! 

XXIII. 

But  while  her  son  his  guilty  course  pursued, 
No  peace  his  royal  mother's  breast  might  feel  :u 
Her  heart,  with  Wisdom's  sternest  lore  endued, 
Owned  but  one  aim — her  groaning  country's  weal : 
And  while  Chaldea's  rightful  lord,  with  zeal 
Sped  on  in  Pleasure's  pathway — she,  distrest, 
Guided  in  camp  and  court,  with  righteous  deal, 
And  watched  the  Empire,  with  a  troubled  breast, 
As  mothers  watch  will  keep  above  an  infant's  rest ! 


BABYLON.  19 

XXIV. 

For  well  she  knew  the  Persian's  banner,  furled, 
Would  soon  again  be  rustling  on  the  blast : 
And  well  she  trembled,  lest  a  captive  world 
Should  sit  submissive  'neath  its  shadow  vast ; 
Nor  proved  in  vain  her  fears — few  months  were  past, 
Ere  War's  dire  notes  th'  unwilling  ear  assailed ; 
Tower,  town,  and  guarded  fortress,  tottered  fast, 
Nor  aught  their  ancient  strength  and  might  availed — 
Where  Cyrus'  arm  was  raised,  his  sovereign  power 
prevailed. 

XXV. 

Yet  still  the  brave  Nitocris  quelled  her  fear : 
When,  one  by  one,  her  girted  holds  went  down, 
Still  strove  the  Nation's  fainting  heart  to  cheer ; 
Still  strove  to  guard  the  feeble  monarch's  crown  : 
With  needed  force  supplied  th'  unsheltered  town : 
But  most  her  City's  strength  engrossed  her  now — 
For  firm  her  vow,  that  queen,  of  proud  renown, 
Should  ne'er  in  shame  a  conquered  subject  bow, 
And  give  the  proudest  wreath  to  Victory's  laurelled 
brow! 


20  BABYLON. 

XXVI. 

When  years  had  fled,  and  other  hope  seemed  vain. 
The  listless  monarch  woke  to  Reason's  sway : 
With  wealth's  charmed  spoil  endued,  the  royal  train 
To  Lydia's  realm  betook  their  speedy  way  : 
There,  soon,  a  countless  host,  in  stern  array, 
The  Western  Nations  to  the  monarch  gave : 
Then  throbbed  his  breast,  with  Hope's  fond  whispers, 

gay- 
Potent  the  aid — their  Lydian  leader  brave — 

His  throne,  so  long  oppressed,  so  mighty  now  to  save ! 

XXVII. 

Vain,  vain,  his  hope — scarce  had  the  glad  court  rung 
With  welcoming  echo,  'neath  his  charger's  tread, 
Ere  mournful  ills  were  borne  by  Rumor's  tongue— 
Th'  advancing  hosts  had  met  th'  invader  dread— 
And  whelmed  by  matchless  force,  had,  routed,  fled ; 
Then  Fame  declared,  how  'neath  proud  Sardis'  wall, 
His  tireless  foe  the  constant  siege  had  led, 
While  vain,  for  aid,  was  guarded  Croesus'  call — 
Then  Sardis  shrunk  in  awe,  and  trembled  to  her  fall ! 


BABYLON.  21 

XXVIII. 

Still,  Persia's  banner  waved  in  Victory's  hand, 
Still,  Cyrus'  legions  marched  to  conquest  wide, 
Till  every  clime  confessed  his  free  command, 
From  where  Euphrates  rolls,  in  lordly  pride, 
To  far  JEgea's  sportive,  rock-bound  tide  : 
Then  Syria  wore  the  captive's  galling  chain, 
And  awed  Arabia  bended  by  her  side  : 
While  Northern  powers  confessed  the  struggle  vain, 
And   bowed  unwilling  necks,  and  owned  resistless 
reign ! 

XXIX. 

What  now  remained,  the  Captor's  joy  to  grace  ? 
His  crown  of  Victory  lacked  one  peerless  gem  ; 
Great  Babylon  must  kneel  in  dust,  and  place 
The  crowning  jewel  in  his  diadem  : 
On  came  his  conquering  hosts,  in  power,  to  hem 
The  last  free  hold  that  dared  his  glory  mock ; 
Brave,  at  the  last,  Belshazzar  sought  to  stem 
Th'  advancing  flood — then  fled  th'  recoiling  shock, 
As  Ocean's  broken  waves  will  flee  the  breasting  rock  ! 


BABYLON. 

XXX. 

The  City  spread  abroad  her  sheltering  arms, 
To  shield  her  fleeing  sons  in  danger's  hour : 
There,  safe  at  rest,  they  smiled  at  War's  alarms, 
Nor  feared  their  vaunting  foe's  eluded  power : 
Nor  recked  that  gathering  clouds  of  wrath  might 

lower : 

While  free,  without,  came  Persia's  joyful  son, 
Gay  as  a  lover  to  his  lady's  bower : 
And  ere  the  day's  eventful  light  was  done, 
Close  pressed  his  guarded  lines  in  siege  round  Babylon. 

XXXI. 

But  now  a  work  the  Persian's  care  engaged, 
No  pastime,  meet  for  holiday  employ : 
Though  long  his  sword  successful  war  had  waged, 
And  marched  his  hosts  in  triumph,  to  destroy — 
Day  came  and  went,  but  brought  his  heart  no  joy  : 
Yet  still  his  eye  ne'er  deemed  his  hope  forlorn, 
Still  watched  with  jealous  zeal  his  foeman  coy  : 
Though  to  his  ear,  each  day,  in  taunt,  were  borne 
Contempt's  deriding  laugh— th'  unwelcome  hiss  of 
scorn ! 


BABYLON.  23 

XXXII. 

Far  as  the  eye  may  view  the  arrow's  flight, 
When  the  perched  eagle  plumes  his  wing  to  fly — 
So,  to  th'  astonished  gazer's  wildered  sight, 
The  City's  breasting  walls  arose  on  high:12 
Their  beetling  towers  unneeded  aid  supply- 
While    wheeling    cohorts    tread    their    widening 

crown : 

Such  vast  domains  within  their  circuit  lie, 
Who  sought  at  dawn  to  view  th'  encompassed  town, 
His  panting  steed  would  sink  ere  the  bright  Sun  went 

down ! 

XXXIII. 

But  when  the  ponderous,  brazen  gates  unfold, 
And,  wide  within,  Life's  heaving  tide  disclose- 
Then  doth  the  awe-struck  eye,  with  dread,  behold 
An   Empire's   might   in   dazzling  pomp   repose ! 
Strong  to  protect,  though  all  the  World  were  foes, 
With  aid  secure  from  Famine's  power  supplied. 
E'en  though  no  walls,  protecting,  round  them  rose, 
Seemed  that  the  countless  hosts  might  safe  abide, 
And  rest  from  danger  free,  and  Death's  wild  storm 
deride. 


21  BABYLON. 

XXXIV. 

The  broad  Euphrates  rolled  his  stately  wave 
Free,  through  the  lengthening  City's  utmost  bound  :13 
While  girding,  guarded  walls  his  waters  lave : 
On  either  shore,  with  triple  bulwarks  round, 
The  royal  monarch's  palace-halls  resound,14 
Near  where  vain  Belus'  heaven-ward  towers  arise;15 
Whose  matchless  height,  though  shouting  crowds 

surround, 

Th'  aspiring  Echo   died,  in   feeble   sighs, 
To  gain  their  onward  verge,  conversant  with  the  skies ! 

XXXV. 

But  vain  were  words  the  wond'rous  tale  to  tell — 
That  Warrior-City's  pride,  with  strength  replete  : 
Ye,  who  have  wooed  the  Muse  of  History  well, 
In  vain  may  search  for  realms  that  dare  compete : 
If  righteous  Heaven  but  smile,  might  ne'er  Defeat, 
With  Slaughter's  spear,  her  crested  myriads  thin  : 
Thus,  round  her  base,  War's  angry  surges  beat- 
Thus,  smiled  the  sheltered  hosts  'mid  conflict's  din ; 
A    leaguering    world    without — a    leaguered    world 
within ! 


BABYLON.  25 

XXXVI. 

Resistless  Time  rolls  on  the  sluggish  years — 
Two  Summers  bloom,  two  lingering  Autumns  fade  : 
But  ne'er  success  the  Persian's  effort  cheers  : 
His  hosts  surround,  with  bosoms  undismayed — 
His  circling  line  its  frowning  towers  displayed16 — 
Yet  was  each  trusting  labor  fruitless  riven  ; 
The  world's  great  Conqueror  proved  his  conquest 

stayed — 

Gazed  his  vast  throng,  all  mute,  to  madness  driven, 
As  Satan's  baffled  hosts  gazed  at  the  towers  of  Heaven. 

XXXVII. 

What  sudden  joy  hath  seized  the  Camp  to-day? 
Why  flies  the  murmur  hushed,  with  gladdening  tone? 
Lost  Hope  hath  come,  triumphant  on  her  way — 
Ere  the  dim  Morning's  faintest  beams  have  shone, 
Will  Cyrus  hail  the  yielding  state  his  own : 
Low  in  the  dust  must  lie  her  guilty  head— 
For  heard  is  Captive  Judah's  plaintive  moan : 
She,  for  whose  pomp  broad  realms  so  long  have  bled, 
A  widowed  slave  must  kneel — for  Heaven's  high  aid 
hath  fled! 


26  BABYLON. 

XXXVIII. 

To-night,  through  Babylon,  the  torch  shall  glide, 
Where  frantic  Revel  rules  in  wild  command : 
Then  shall  Euphrates  bend  his  vassal  tide — 
While  o'er  his  bed  shall  march  th'  invading  band, 
Like  Israel's  hosts  to  Victory's  promised  land  :ir 
Now,  wildest  glee  doth  thrill  th'  impatient  throng, 
While  free,  from  rank  to  rank,  in  accents  bland, 
Th'  exulting  tale  of  joyance  spreads  along — 
Hist !  in  the  royal  tent  a  Minstrel   pours  his  song. 


THE    SONG    OF    CYRUS'    MINSTREL, 


Belshazzar !  Belshazzar  ! 

Thy  glory  is   past : 
For  Vengeance,  long  slumbering, 

O'ertakes  thee  at  last: 
Dire  Slaughter  and   Havoc 

Around   thee  await — 
And  the  hand  of  the  Foeman 

Is  hard  on  thy  gate ! 


BABYLON.  27 


Belshazzar !   Belshazzar ! 

Thou  rulest  in  scorn— 
But  Ruin  approach  eth, 

And  red  is  the  Morn : 
Thy  Sceptre  is  broken — 

The  Spoiler  hath  come: 
Ere  the  Morning,  proud  Tyrant, 

Thou  sleepest  in  doom ! 


O  Babylon!   Babylon! 

Peerless  and   free ! 
The  stole  of  the  Captive 

Is  woven  for  thee ! 
Thy  gladness  shall  flee 

At  the  lorn  Widow's  moan, 
And  the  song  of  the  Banquet 

Be  hushed  by  the  groan! 


28  BABYLON. 


Thou  shalt  perish,  though  smiling 

In  splendor  and  power- 
Like  the  oak,  when  the  tempest 

Sweeps  by,  in  its  hour  ! 
Vain,  vain  is  thy  Fortress, 

Thy  walls  so  bedight — 
Thou  sleepest,  proud  City, 

In   ruin,   to-night ! 


XXXIX. 

The  Sun  was  sinking  down  the  purpling  West, 
And  bright  the  god  poured  forth  his  parting  beam  : 
Rejoicing  Earth  the  soft  refulgence  blest— 
His  bright  rays  glinted  o'er  the  quivering  stream, 
While  flashing  lance  and  glave  returned  the  gleam : 
Then  sunk  adown  his  crimson  pathway,  slow, 
While — sad  to  say  '  farewell, '  may  Fancy  deem— 
He  bathed  high  Babel's  top  with  molten  glow, 
As  lingers  Christian  hope,  till  falls  Death's  final  blow, 


B  A"B  Y  L  O  N  .  29 


XL. 


Then  Twilight  spread  her  shades  o'er  town  and 

Camp — 

A  moment's  hush  pervades  each  living  thing — 
Now7  mustering  squadrons,  and  the  stealthy  tramp 
Of  hurrying  steeds,  and  muffled  sounds,  that  ring 
From  rank  to  rank,  the  fated  signal  bring : 
While,  all  unconscious  of  the  threatening  doom, 
The  City's  eager  sons  await  the  spring 
Of  Mirth's  enlivening  reign,  'mid  light  and  bloom — 
Nor  deem  her  flowery  path  leads  to  the  yawning  tomb ! 


XLI. 


'Tis  Revel's  hour — she  comes  with  cheer  to  all — 
Nor  will  the  soldier  at  his  task  remain : 
The  gates  which  guard  Euphrates'  shielding  wall, 
Shall  ne'er,  forbidding,  close  in  might  again : 
The  thronging  streets  pour  forth  a  blithesome  train : 
All  hearts,  all  sounds  the  beaming  gladness  borrow— 
Save  some  sad  Hebrew  maiden's  mournful  strain  : 
While  Rapture  rules,  all  thoughtless  of  the  morrow, 
She,  from  the  throng  apart,  thus  breathes  her  plaint 
of  sorrow  ! 


30  BABYLON, 


THE  HEBREW  MAID'S  LAMENT. 


Oh,  sweet  o'er  Judah's  distant  hills 
The  wandering  zephyr  mourning  sighs ; 

And  sweetly  gush  the  crystal  rills, 

And  sparkle  'neath  the  tranquil  skies : 

And  light  waves,  in  the  Moon's  bright  beam, 
Along  the  blue  Lake's  beach  deplore  ; 

And  Jordan  rolls  his  hallowed  stream 
All  silent  by  the  lonely  shore  ! 


Oh,  sad  o'er  Salem's  mournful  walls 

The  mantling  ivy's  tendrils  cling : 
There,  lone,  the  solemn  night-bird  calls, 

There  folds  the  bat  his  blighting  wing  ! 
And  o'er  the  Temple's  crumbling  stones 

The  loathsome  serpent  leads  her  young- 
And  dreary  Desolation  moans, 

Where  erst  the  songs  of  gladness  rung  ! 


BABYLON.  31 


For  Judah's  sons  in  exile  stray, 

And  Judah's  daughters  weeping  roam — 
Far  from  their  own  loved  land  away — 

Lorn  Captives  in  th'  Oppressor's  home  : 
And  while  their  souls  in  anguish  mourn, 

And  sigh  to  view  the  natal  hearth — 
Loud  is  the  Foeman's  taunting  scorn, 

And  wild  the  Godless  heathen's  mirth  ! 


O  Thou,  the  Shepherd  of  thy  flock, 

Who  led'st  thy  people  through  the  wave  ; 
And  gav'st  them  water  from  the  rock, 

And  bar'dst  thine  arm  in  might  to  save  : 
Hear  Thou  the  strain  our  hearts  prolong — 

List — list  the  suppliant  Captive's  cry — 
Oh,  when  shall  cease  the  mournful  song — 

Oh,  when  shall  Judah's  tears  be  dry ! 


BABYLON. 


XLIL 

The  lovely  minstrel  ceased  the  mournful  strain, 
And  Stillness  brooded  o'er  each  trembling  string ; 
While  Rapture,  wild,  maintained  her  giddy  reign, 
Unconscious  aught  of  hearts  'neath  Sorrow's  sting: 
(So  blooming  Joy,  and  Death  with  shadowy  wing, 
Go  hand  in  hand  through  Life's  inviting  bowers  : 
So  clouds  will  come  o'er  skies  of  Youth's  gay  Spring, 
So  Grief  intrude  on  Pleasure's  golden  hours — 
So  roses  bright  will  bloom  beside  the  funeral  flowers !) 

XLIII. 

While  far  and  wide  is  borne  the  echoing  shout, 
Deem  not  Belshazzar  listless  views  the  scene : 
With  maddening  glee  his  palace  walls  ring  out, 
Where  frantic  Revel's  royal  slaves,  I  ween, 
With  rites  unhallowed,  hail  their  guilty  queen : 
Nor  marvel  thou,  that  those  with  power  increast, 
With  joy  increast,  should  glow  at  Pleasure's  mien ! 
Chaldea's  haughty  lords,  with  Revel's  priest, 
Like   altar   victims   decked,   partake   their    Funeral 
Feast ! 


BABYLON. 

XLIV. 

Where  the  long  festive  chamber  greets  the  eye, 
The  costly  banquet  spreads  in  tempting  line ; 
From  the  far,  fretted,  vaulted  roof,  on  high, 
A  thousand  lamps  in  fragrant  splendor  shine  : 
The  teeming  quarry,  and  the  glittering  mine, 
O'er  all  the  scene  their  dazzling  store  display  : 
Where  thousand  arches  gracefully  recline,— 
Where  thousand  columns  rise  in  strength  to  stay, 
While  wall   and   pavement   bright  throw  back   the 
spice-lamps'  ray ! 

XLV. 

On  purple  couch,  with  gold  and  gems  arrayed, 
Reclined  Belshazzar  in  his  regal  state : 
Next,  Beauty's  train  its  matchless  charms  displayed ; 
Then  countless  princes  bowed,  with  heart  elate : — 
Mute  at  their  feet  a  crowd  of  menials  wait : 
While  high  apart,  above  the  royal  throng, 
The  pampered  minstrels  joyed  in  envied  fate— 
At  Grandeur's  beck  to  pour  their  servile  song, 
While  Incense'  balmy  breath  in  fragrance  floats  along. 


34  BABYLON. 

* 

XLVI. 

On  flowed  the  feast — on  sped  the  rosy  hours — 
The  red  wine  mantled  blushingly  and  bright ; 
While  Wit  and  Beauty  joined  their  varied  powers, 
And  every  heart  to  Rapture's  thrill  beat  light : 
Nor  vain  the  wine-cups'  maddening  fumes  invite — 
When  wilder  grew  each  breast  with  wild  desire — 
1  Ho  !    Minstrel !  join  to  cheer  the  fleeting  night !' 
The  eager  bard  approached  the  royal  Sire — 
Bowed  by  his  gleaming  couch,  and  swept  th'  exulting 
Lyre ! 


THE    SONG    OF    BELSHAZZAR'S    MINSTREL. 


All  hail  to  Belshazzar !   Earth  smiles  in  his  light, 
As  the  flowers,  when  the  Sun  cometh  forth  in  his 

might : 

All  hail  to  Belshazzar!   bend  low  at  his  nod! 
He  feasts  like  a  monarch — he  rules  like  a  god ! 


BABYLON.  35 

2 

All  hail  to  Belshazzar !   fill  the  cups  to  the  brim, 
For  the  glad  Earth  ne'er  gazed  on  a  monarch  like  him  : 
Like  Belus,  the  mighty,  his  thunders  are  hurled,18 
And  Terror  comes  down  on  an  awe-stricken  world, 


What  though,  for  a  moment,  dire  troubles  arise — 
So  the  black  clouds  will  creep  o'er  the  Sun  in  the  skies : 
As  the  Sun  moveth  onward,  right  on,  in  his  path, 
Belshazzar  will  scatter  his  foes,  in  his  wrath, 


Shame,  shame,  on  the  weak,  trembling  victims  of  fear, 
Who  have  yielded  like  slaves  to  the  Conqueror's  spear : 
When  the  flag  of  Belshazzar  the  gay  skies  shall  greet, 
Again  shall  the  cowards  bend  low  at  his  feet. 


Contempt  for  the  Persian,  who  sits  'neath  our  wall, 
And  deems  it  will  crumble  to  dust  at  his  call ! 
As  well  might  he  hope,  by  his  mad  folly  driven, 
To  beat  down  the  thunder-capped  Fortress  of  Heaven ! 


30  BABYLON. 


Vain,  vain  !   let  his  banners  be  furled,  at  the  last, 
And  his  trumpets  in  silence  be  hushed  of  their  blast : 
Bid  his  cohorts  return,  at  the  break  of  the  Morn, 
For  the  mighty  Belshazzar  hath  laughed  him  to  scorn ! 


Great  Babylon  joys   at  this   festival   hour, 
And  Gladness  walks  forth,  in  her  life-giving  power : 
Proud  Belus,  approving,  looks  down  from  his  height, 
And  the   shade   of  Belesis   is  joyful  to-night.19 


Mighty  Babylon!    firmly  thou  sittest  on  high, 
Serenely,  while   Ages  go   tottering  by : 
Around  thee  all  vainly  the  wild  tempests  rave, 
And  Time's  mighty  torrent  breaks  idly  its  wave! 


Thou  reck'st  not !  thine  eye  looketh  far  through  the 

gloom, 

And  Nations,  all  prostrate,  are  waiting  their  doom : 
'Mid   the  ruin  of  Empires  thou  sittest  sublime, 
Like  the  fame  of  Belshazzar,  eternal  as  Time ! 


B'A  B  Y  L  O  N  .  37 

XL  VII. 

The  Minstrel   ceased — her  spell  charmed  Silence 

throws- 
Then  rapturous  shouts  of  adulation  ring  : 
With  impious  pride  the  infuriate  Monarch  glows — 
1  Ho,  slaves,  away !  the  sacred  cups  to  bring, 
Of  Judah's  baffled  God,  and  vanquished  King  !' 
The  trembling  slaves  obey  the  foul  behest — 
Where  sleeps  the  lightning  on  its  fiery  wing  ? 
Unhallowed  lips  those  hallowed  brims  have  prest, 
And  dread  Jehovah's  name  blent  with  the  scoffer's 
jest ! 

XLVIII. 

Ha  !    shrieks  Belshazzar  in  his  banquet  hall ! 
What  means  his  starting  eye-balls'  ghastly  glare  ? 
A  blood-red  hand  is  out  upon  the  wall — 
And  fiery  words  of  wrath  are  flaming  there  ! 
1  Haste  for  the  Magi !'   gasps  the  king's  despair : 
With  faltering  step  the  lorn  Magicians  come — 
Gaze  on  the  fated  wall  with  hopeless  stare — 
Gaze  o'er  the  banquet  with  a  brow  of  gloom — 
All  vain  their  skill  to  read  those  awful  words  of  doom  ! 


38  BABYLON. 

XLIX. 

Then  wise  Nitocris  to  the  monarch  hies — 
So  wild,  so  fierce,  the  fearful  tumult  grew : 
'Let  not,  O  King!   thy  heart's  despair  arise, 
Nor  change  thy  visage  wan  with  fears  undue ! 
Lo !   Judah's   sacred   Prophet,  sage   and  true, 
Shall  solve  those  words  which  mystic  horror  shed !' 
Reviving  hopes  the  monarch's  heart  renew — 
Great  Daniel  comes,  with  slow,  majestic  tread; 
Shrinks   from  his   eye  the    throng,   with   glance    of 
trembling  dread ! 


L. 


'  Art  thou  the  Seer  of  Judah's  captive  line — 
In  whom  the  wisdom  of  the  gods  doth  dwell  ? 
If  thou  that  mystic  sentence  canst  divine, 
Riches  and  power  shall  crowrn  thy  potent  spell !' 
1  Nay,  monarch !  keep  the  gifts  thou  lov'st  so  well, 
Or  fling  thy  wreaths  when  baser  souls  aspire ! 
Yet  to   thy   shuddering   spirit   will   I   tell 
His   words — his  name    blasphemed — whose   hand 

in  ire, 
Hath  writ  thy  final  doom,  in  vengeance-flames  of  fire!' 


BABYLON.  39 


THE    INTERPRETATION    OF    DANIEL, 


Thou'rt  fallen,  doomed  monarch! 

Stern  Vengeance,  arrayed, 
Thy  madness  and  guilt 

In  the  balance  hath  weighed! 
The  crown  of  thy  glory 

No  more  may'st  thou  clasp — 
Thy  sceptre  is  wrenched 

From  thy  quivering  grasp  ! 


Go,  wrap  thee  in  shame, 

In  the  realm  of  Despair : 
For  the  worm  of  the  charnel 

Awaiteth  thee  there  ! 
Ere  the  Night  thou  defilest 

In  terror  hath  flown — 
The  Mede  and  the  Persian 

Shall  sit  on  thy  throne ! 


40  BABYLON. 


LI. 


Like  guilty  murderer,  at  the  death-bell's  sound, 
The  gasping  monarch  shrinks :  but  hist !  below, 
What  startling  notes  along  the  court  resound? 
'Tis  armor's  fearful  clang !    they  come — the  foe ! 
1  To  arms !  to  arms  !'   before  their  desperate  blow 
The  guarding  doors  give  way  !     Now  Conflict's  tone 
Rings  through  the  echoing  halls  !   its  purple  flow 
The  gushing  life-blood  pours;  while  shout,  and  moan, 
And  woman's  frantic  shriek,  blend  with  the  dying 
groan ! 


LIL 


The  Morn  was  struggling  o'er  the  Eastern  hill, 
Though  Night  still  brooded  o'er  the  valleys,  where, 
Amid  his  slumbering  flocks,  all  hushed  and  still, 
The  faithful  shepherd  watched,  with  wakeful  care : 
Now,  troubled  sounds,  along  the  darkening  air, 
Break  on  his  ear — he  turns,  with  mute  surprise, 
His  gaze  tow'rd  distant  Babylon — but  there 
Night  wraps  her  gloomy  veil — no  tower  he  spies, 
While  deeper,  louder  still,  the  mingling  notes  arise ! 


BABYLON. 


11 


LIIL 


Morn  lights  the  scene  !   the  Persian's  banner  floats 
O'er  Babylon's  high  towers,  so  free  at  even : 
All  silent  grow  the  Conflict's  varying  notes, 
Like    Summer's   air,   when   Tempest-Winds   have 

striven ! 

Then  rose  the  yell  of  Victory,  fiercely  given, 
As  when  foes  cease  the  hot  pursuit  to  urge ! 
Then  sadly,  wildly,  to  the  listening  Heaven, 
Like  mournful  murmurs  of  the  far-off  surge, 
A  captive  Nation's  wail — Belshazzar's  funeral  dirge ! 


LIFE:    ITS    SEASONS. 


I. 


Life  hath  its  Spring-time !    Childhood's  morn; 

When  pure  is  young  affection's  ray ; 
Gay  are  the  flowers  its  path  adorn, 
And  bright  the  hues  of  opening  day  : 
Wild  music  lingers  in  its  bowers — 
Grateful  the  fragrance  of  its  flowers — 

And  all  betokens  bliss  : 
Hope  weaves  her  wild,  enchanting  song, 
And  sings,  at  every  path  along, 

That  all  shall  be  like  this ! 
Time's  rapid  footsteps  never  stay — 
Life's  golden  Spring-time  speeds  away  ! 


LIFE!     ITS     SEASONS.  43 

II. 

Life  hath  its  Summer !    ardent  now 

Is  Manhood's  toil,  ambition's  sway; 
Hope  lighteth  still  the  fevered  brow, 
And  sweetly  sings  the  coming  day : 

Fond  are  affection's  whispers,  bland, 
And  warm  is  Frienship's  proffered  hand — 

Summer's  horizon  fair ; 
But  ah  !    anon  a  cloud  is  seen  ; 
Dark  and  more  dark  its  threatening  mien — 

A  Tempest  gathers  there  ! 
Sunlight  and  storm  are  o'er,  at  last ; 
Life'vS  fitful  Summer-time  is  past ! 

III. 

Life  hath  its  Autumn !    where  have  fled 
Those  flattering  promises  of  Spring  ? 
Alas  !    like  withered  roses,  dead, 
Around  no  sweet  perfume  they  fling  : 

Hope  hath  been  false,  as  she  was  fair; 
The  smile  hath  fled,  and  gathering  care, 

And  woe  around  are  cast : 
Gloomy  is  Life's  late  lovely  bower — 
Here  falls  a  leaf,  there  fades  a  flower, 

And  chill  the  dreary  blast ! 
The  showers  of  ruin  fall  around ; 
Life's  withered  foliage  strews  the  ground  ! 


44 


LIFE:    ITS   SEASONS. 


IV. 

Life  hath  its  Winter!   snowy  Age, 

When  Manhood's  noblest  vigors  fail ! 
Weary  becomes  the  chequered  page, 
Cold  is  the  wintry,  piercing  gale : 

The  faltering  step — the  trembling  limb — 
The  flagging  pulse — the  eye-ball  dim — 

Alike  deliverance  crave : 
Fainter — yet  fainter — hark !  the  breath  ! 
O  haste  thee,  tyrant,  angel,  Death ! 

Welcome  the  frightful  grave ! 
'Tis  finished!   Life's  short  journey's  done — 
The  Sun  hath  set — the  Seasons  run  ! 


NOTES   TO  BABYLON. 


NOTE   l. 
When  Nabonassar  held  his  regal  sway— 

Nabonassar  is  the  same  with  Belesis.  He,  while  governor  of 
Babylon,  with  Arbaces,  governor  of  Media,  headed  the  conspiracy 
whereby  the  old  empire  of  Assyria  was  brought  to  an  end.  After 
the  successful  termination  of  the  enterprise,  Belesis  had  Babylon, 
Chaldea,  and  Arabia,  and  Arbaces  all  the  rest. 

NOTE  2. 

But  not  until  her  mightiest  king  arose, 

Nebuchadnezzar — not  only  the  mightiest  king  of  Babylon,  but 
one  of  the  mightiest  monarchs  the  East  ever  saw.  After  waging 
successful  war  with  most  of  the  surrounding  nations,  (though 
Assyria,  mentioned  "in  the  text,  was  in  fact  an  early  conquest,  while 
his  father  was  yet  on  the  throne,)  he  carried  his  victorious  arms 
even  into  Egypt ;  and  after  success  had  crowned  every  effort,  he 
gave  his  whole  care  to  the  improvement  of  his  royal  city,  Babylon, 
which  became,  under  his  direction,  'the  praise  of  the  whole  Earth, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Chaldee's  excellency.' 

NOTE  3. 

Of  high  renown,  the  Ocean's  peerless  bride, 

Tyre  was  situated  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea. 
It  was  a  city  of  great  wealth  and  power ;  and  held  out  against  the 
seige  for  thirteen  years. 


4C  NOTES    TO    BABYLON. 

NOTE  4. 

Delved  o'er  his  mystic,  astrologic  lore : 

To  such  an  extent  was  this  science  prosecuted  by  the  Chaldeans, 
that  the  very  name  of  astrology  has  become  identified  with  that  of 
their  kingdom.  It  is  related  that  when,  in  after  times,  Alexander 
took  Babylon,  Calisthenes,  the  philosopher,  who  accompanied  him, 
found  astronomical  observations  for  nineteen  hundred  and  three 
years  back. 

NOTE  5. 

His  wayward  son   assumed  th'  ancestral  reign ; 

Evilmerodach,  (or  Merodach,)  succeeded  in  the  kingdom — a 
tyrant,  whose  excessive  cruelties  caused  his  own  relatives  to  conspire 
against  him. 

NOTE  6. 

Chaldea's  allied  aid  in  times  gone  by, 

By  '  Chaldea'  is  here  meant  the  Babylonian  empire.  It  was  called 
Chaldea  and  Assyria,  indiscriminately,  after  the  overthrow  of  the 
latter  power. 

NOTE  7. 

To  hail  the  noble  Neriglissar  King: 

Neriglissar  was  the  husband  of  the  sister  of  the  last  king;  and  he 
it  was  who  took  the  lead  of  the  conspiracy  against  him. 

NOTE  8. 

In  wanton  rancor,  on  the  Median  sway: 

Merodach,  while  on  a  hunting  excursion,  had  made  an  inroad 
into  the  territory  of  the  Medes. 

NOTE  9. 

Ere  Babylonia  hailed  the  regal  son — 

Laborosoarchod  succeeded  to  the- throne.  His  reign  was  marked 
with  such  intolerable  cruelty  and  injustice,  that  he  was  assassinated, 
when  he  had  ruled  but  nine  months. 

NOTE  10. 

The  last— the  vilest— of  the  royal  line, 

The  conduct  of  Belshazzar  formed  the  climax  of  that  series  of 
regal  folly  and  crime  which  Babylon  had  been  doomed  to  suffer, 
(with  the  exception  of  Neriglissar's  reign,)  since  the  death  of 
Nebuchadnezzar. 


NOTES    TO    BABYLON.  47 

NOTE    11. 

No  peace  his  royal  mother's  breast  might  feel  : 

Nitocris,  the  queen-mother — a  woman  of  superior  understanding 
and  bravery.  She  took  nearly  the  sole  command  of  the  government; 
and  after  placing  the  country  in  the  best  possible  state  of  defence, 
she  turned  her  whole  attention  toward  the  finishing  of  such  of  the 
fortifications  of  Babylon  as  had  been  left  in  an  unfinished  state  by 
Nebuchadnezzar. 

NOTE   12. 

The  City's  breasting  walls  arose  on  high : 

The  city  of  Babylon  was  laid  out  in  the  form  of  a  square.  The 
walls  were  every  way  prodigious — being,  according  to  Herodotus, 
in  thickness  eighty-seven  feet,  in  height  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet, 
and  in  compass  four  hundred  and  eighty  furlongs,  which  make  sixty 
of  our  miles.  The  walls  were  surmounted  by  two  hundred  and  fifty 
towers ;  and  each  wall  contained  twenty-five  brazen  gates,  making 
one  hundred  in  all. 

NOTE   13. 

Free,  through  the  lengthening  City's  utmost  bound: 

The  river  Euphrates,  or  rather  a  branch  of  it,  passed  directly 
through  the  city.  Its  banks  were  guarded  with  walls,  resembling 
those  which  enclosed  the  city,  in  point  of  height  and  thickness,  and, 
like  them,  firmly  cemented  with  bitumen.  And  over  against  every 
street  that  crossed  the  river,  there  was  a  brazen  gate,  on  each  side, 
in  the  wall,  with  stairs  leading  down  from  it  to  the  river. 

NOTE   14. 

The  royal  monarch's  palace-halls  resound, 

On  the  east  side  of  the  river  stood  the  old  palace  of  the  kings  of 
Babylon,  being  four  miles  in  compass.  Over  against  it,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  stood  the  new  palace,  of  four  times  the  size 
of  the  former,  being  eight  miles  in  compass.  It  was  surrounded 
with  three  walls,  one  within  another,  and  strongly  fortified. 

NOTE   15. 

Near  where  vain  Belus'  heaven-ward  towers  arise; 

The  celebrated  '  Tower  of  Babel,'  situated  near  the  old  palace. 
It  consisted  of  eight  towers,  one  above  another,  each  of  which  was 
seventy-five  feet  high.  Nearly  all  its  stately  apartments  became 
finally  devoted  to  idolatrous  uses.  On  the  top  of  the  Tower  was 
an  Observatory. 


48  NOTES    TO    BABYLON. 

NOTE  16. 

His  circling  line  its  frowning  towers  displayed — 

Cyrus  at  first  hoped  to  take  the  city  by  assault,  and  for  this 
purpose  he  l  drew  a  line  of  circumvallation  round  it,  making  the 
ditch  broad  and  deep,  and  erected  towers  higher  than  the  walls.' 

NOTE   17. 

Like  Israel's  hosts  to  Victory's  promised  land ; 

'After  nearly  two  years  had  been  wasted,  Cyrus  resolved  to  take 
the  city  by  stratagem.  Learning  that  a  great  annual  festival  was 
approaching,  and  that  the  Babylonians  were  accustomed  on  that 
occasion  to  spend  the  whole  night  in  revelling  and  drunkenness,  he 
thought  this  a  proper  time  to  surprise  them  ;  and  for  the  effecting 
of  it  he  had  this  device  :  He  sent  up  a  party  of  his  men  to  the  head 
of  the  canal  leading  to  the  great  lake,  [which  had  been  formed  for 
receiving  the  waters  of  the  river  while  its  walls  were  being  built,  and 
which  was  still  preserved,  to  receive  its  waters  at  the  times  of  its 
overflowing,]  with  orders  at  a  set  time,  to  break  down  the  great 
bank,  or  dam,  which  was  betwen  the  river  and  that  canal,  and  to 
turn  the  whole  current  that  way  into  the  lake.  In  the  interim, 
getting  all  his  forces  together,  he  posted  one  part  of  them  at  the 
place  where  the  river  ran  into  the  city,  and  the  other  where  it  came 
out,  with  orders  to  enter  the  city  that  night  by  the  channel  of  the 
river,  as  soon  as  they  should  find  it  fordable.  Both  parties  (each 
under  the  direction  of  a  Babylonian  guide,)  were  thence  to  proceed 
through  the  gates  (which,  it  was  rightly  supposed,  would  be  left 
open,  through  the  riot  and  disorder,)  into  the  city,  and  to  meet,  in 
the  dead  of  the  night,  at  the  gates  of  the  palace,  where  Belshazzar 
and  his  lords  were  partaking  of  their  impious  feast.' 

NOTE   18. 
Like  Belus,  the  mighty,  his  thunders  are  hurled, 

Belus,  Bel,  or  Baal — the  god  of  the  Babylonian  idolatry — to 
whom  Nebuchadnezzar  had  erected  an  image  of  gold,  which  was 
placed  in  the  '  Tower. ' 

NOTE   19. 
And  the  shade  of  Belesis  is  joyful  to-night. 

Belesis — the  same  with  Nabonassar.     See  Note  1. 


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